An overhanging element

ABSTRACT

An overhanging element comprising a basis provided for being applied on a surface raising pedestal, which basis is provided with a window which extend in a longitudinal manner in the basis, said window being dimensioned such that a wing which is part of an insert part applied on the pedestal can cross it and thus guide a translatory movement of the overhanging element with respect to the pedestal on which it is applied, which basis comprises at a first longitudinal end a stop member which extend substantially perpendicular with respect to the basis and which is is formed by at least one flap provided with a notch which extends over the height of the flap, the notch having a depth such as to enable a bending and/or a removal of a section of the flap situated between the notch and a distal end of the flap.

The present invention relates to an overhanging element comprising a basis provided for being applied on a surface raising pedestal, which basis is provided with a window which extends in a longitudinal manner in the basis, said window being dimensioned such that a wing which is part of an insert part applied on the pedestal can cross it and thus guide a translatory movement of the overhanging element with respect to the pedestal on which it is applied, which basis comprises at a first longitudinal end a stop member which extend substantially perpendicular with respect to the basis.

Such an overhanging element is known from U.S. Pat. No. 685,745. The known overhanging element comprises a stop member having an ellipse shaped geometry, which is applied at a first longitudinal end of the basis. The overhanging element serves to be applied on a surface raising pedestal and to overhang a distance between the pedestal and a wall border and is applied under a soil covering element applied on the pedestal. It is well known in the surface raising technique or surface inclination compensation technique, to make use of pedestals. Those pedestals are applied on a soil, which is either flat, or sloped. When the soil is flat, the pedestals serve to raise the surface for creating a space which can serve for housing therein among others electrical cables. When the soil is sloped, the pedestal serves not only to raise the surface, but also to compensate the slope. The soil covering, for example formed by slabs or a deck in natural or synthetic wood, is than applied on the pedestal. For filling up the space between a partition or a wall and the first row of pedestals, use is made of overhanging elements which are applied on the head of the pedestal and of which the stop member is applied against the wall or partition. The presence of a window enables the wing of the insert part applied on the pedestal to cross this window and thus guide the overhanging element in its transversal movement with respect to the pedestal on which it is applied. This transversal movement enables on its turn to have the overhanging element sliding until its stop member enters into contact with the wall or partition.

A drawback of the known overhanging element is that it does not enable to correctly overhang the distance between the wall or partition and the pedestal at places where the wall or partition is not rectilinear, or forms a corner. The modern architecture and the techniques and construction materials of today enable other geometrical shapes than straight lines. There is thus a need to have raised surfaces which can be combined with walls or partitions which are non-linear, or form angles.

It is an object of the invention to realise an overhanging element that can be used with walls or partitions of different geometries.

To this purpose an overhanging element according to the invention is characterized in that the stop member is formed by at least one flap provided with a notch which extends over the height of the flap, the notch having a depth such as to enable a bending and/or a removal of a section of the flap situated between the notch and a distal end of the flap. The presence of a notch thus enables, either to bend the section of the flap, or to remove it, in order to adapt the overhanging element to the geometry of the wall or partition in front of which it will be applied. As the overhanging element can thus be adapted to the geometry of the wall or partition, it becomes possible to overhang the distance until against the wall or partition, even if the latter is non-linear or forms an angle.

It should be noted that the patent application EP 3 279 405 describes the use of a stop member directly applied on the pedestal's head and provided with a notch enabling to remove a section of that stop member. However, this stop member is not part of an overhanging element and cannot be moved with respect to the pedestal for filling up the space between a partition or a wall and the pedestal on which it is applied and can thus not solve a problem of walls or partitions having non-linear geometries.

The utility model DE 20 2016 001842 describes an overhanging element which can also not be moved with respect to the pedestal and which can thus also not provide a solution to a problem of walls and partitions with non-linear geometries.

A first embodiment of an overhanging element according to the invention is characterized in that the notch is situated in a part of the flap situated between ⅓ and ⅔, in particular between 4/9 and 5/9, of the length of the flap. This enables on the one hand to always maintain a section of the flap which will be in contact with the wall or partition, and on the other hand to be able to sufficiently bend the flap or to remove a section thereof, and thus to be able to adapt the overhanging element to a large variety of wall or partition geometries.

A second embodiment of an overhanging element according to the invention is characterized in that the or the flap(s) is or are applied on a first foot and offset with respect to the basis. This enables to break off a part of the flap without altering the basis of the overhanging element.

Preferably the basis comprises a set of perforations crossing this basis. This enables to fix the overhanging element on the pedestal by using the perforations for introducing therein screws serving for fixing the overhanging element on the pedestal.

A third embodiment of an overhanging element according to the invention is characterized in that the basis is provided with a breaking line applied offset with respect to the flap. The presence of this breaking line enables to detach at this location a part of the overhanging element and thus to reduce the length of the basis. Thus, one can apply on a same pedestal two or three overhanging elements which form an angle among them. This happens to be very useful when the wall or partition forms an enclave or a corner.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings which illustrate embodiments of the overhanging element and of the set according to the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an overhanging element according to the invention and which is applied on a pedestal;

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an overhanging element according to the invention;

FIGS. 3a and 3b show a wall forming a curve and the way how the overhanging element mounted on the pedestal can be adapted to this curved shape;

FIGS. 4a and 4b show the overhanging element applied near a corner of a wall; and

FIGS. 5a and 5b show two overhanging elements mounted on a pedestal.

In the drawings a same reference sign has been allotted to a same or analogous element.

The FIGS. 1 and 2 show an overhanging element 1 according to the invention. In the example shown in FIG. 1 the overhanging element is applied on a pedestal 3. The pedestal and its use are generally known and are for example described in the patents EP 1 027 511 and EP 3 181 779 which belong to the applicant. These pedestals serve for compensating an inclination of the soil, or for raising the soil, for example for building a terrace or for creating a space for cables or conducts under the raised floor. The overhanging element is provided to be mounted on the head of the pedestal in such a manner as to be moved over the head of the pedestal. The soil covering (not shown in this FIG. 1) is then applied by placing a fraction, for example a corner or a segment, of a soil covering element which will be part of the soil covering, on the overhanging element.

The overhanging element 1 is preferably manufactured of plastic material, such as polypropylene, but it will be clear that other materials, such epoxy reinforced with glass fibers, or even natural materials, such as wood, can be used.

The overhanging element 1 comprises a basis 2 provided for being mounted on the pedestal 3. This basis comprises at a first longitudinal end 4 a stop member 5 which extend substantially perpendicular with respect to the basis. The stop member is formed by at least one flap 6-1 provided with a notch 7-1, which extends over the height of the flap. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the stop member comprises two flaps 6-1 and 6-2, each provided with a notch 7-1, 7-2. The notch has a depth such as to enable a bending and/or a removal by breaking off a first section of the flap situated between the notch and a distal end 6 d of the flap. This notch is for example realized by leaving a cut-out in the flap upon manufacturing, for example by casting. Preferably the notch extends over the whole height of the flap. Preferably the notch 7-1, 7-2 is situated in a part of the flap situated between one third (⅓) and two third (⅔), in particular between 4/9 and 5/9, of the length of the flap. This enables on the one hand to always maintain a second section of the flap which will be in contact with the wall or partition, as will be described hereunder, and on the other hand to sufficiently bend the first section of the flap or remove that first section; and enable to adapt the overhanging element to a large variety of wall or partition geometries. Preferably, the flap comprises reinforcing ribs 15 of which one is applied at the distal end of the flap and at least another in each section of the flap. As their name indicates, they serve to rigidify the flap. The reinforcing ribs are applied on the side of the flap oriented towards the base, while the front side of the flap is preferably smooth for facilitating its application against the wall or partition. Preferably the flap has a thickness of 3 mm and the reinforcing ribs a thickness of 2 mm, making a total thickness of 5 mm at the height of the reinforcing ribs. This thickness of 2 mm enables to create a distance between the flap and the soil covering which will be applied against the flap and its reinforcing ribs, thus leaving a space of 2 mm which can serve for drainage purpose.

Preferably the or the flap(s) is or are applied on a first foot 8-1, 8-2, which is offset with respect to the basis 2. This enables to be able to break off a part of the flap, or to remove one of the flaps, without altering the basis of the overhanging element. The flap is connected to the first foot at the height of its second section, in order not to perturbate the bending or removal of the first section.

Preferably the basis comprises a set of perforations 9 crossing this basis. These perforations of said set are aligned along at least one row and applied in an equidistant manner from each other. This enables to fix the overhanging element, for example by means of a screw, on the pedestal by using the perforations for introducing therein the screws and so fix the overhanging element on the pedestal. The presence of this set of perforations enables to choose one or more fixing points in function of the orientation of the overhanging element with respect to the head of the pedestal 3. Preferably each perforation comprises at the level of the upper side of the basis a conical cut-out enabling to house therein the head of the screw which will fix the overhanging element on the pedestal.

The overhanging element 1 comprises a window 10 which extends in a longitudinal manner in the basis 2. This window crosses the basis. The window 10 extends between the two rows of perforations 9. This window serves for being crossed by a wing which is part of an insert part 12 which will then extend between the soil covering elements. The insert part is fixed on the head of the pedestal 3 and enables to guide the translatory movement of the overhanging element with respect to the pedestal, as will be described in more details hereunder.

Preferably the upper side and the under side of the basis is provided with drainage grooves 18 serving to drain water which could fall on the overhanging element. A certain number of those grooves cross the perforations 9.

In FIG. 1 one can see the overhanging element with the wings of two insert parts 12 crossing the window 10 and two other insert parts which are situated on both sides of the overhanging element. The overhanging element can slide over the head of the pedestal and will be guided by the presence of the window 10 and the wings of the insert parts. Indeed, because those wings cross this window but as the insert parts to which they belong are fixed on the pedestal, they contribute to the guiding of the overhanging element during its translatory movement with respect to the pedestal. Due to the fact that the overhanging element can slide over the head of the pedestal, it is possible to adjust its position in such a manner that its flap 6-1, 6-2 enters into contact with a wall or partition.

The overhanging element according to the invention preferably also comprises a breaking line 21 applied in the basis offset with respect to the flap 6-1, 6-2. The breaking line extends in a transversal direction of this basis and is situated at a distance of the flap, in particular at a distance between 3 and 5 cm, more particularly a distance of 4 cm. This breaking line is preferably applied as well on the upper side as on the under side of the basis and extends over the whole width of the basis. It is however possible to apply the breaking line only on one side of the basis by letting it penetrate more deeply in the material than in the embodiment over both sides of the basis. The breaking line 21 has for function to enable to detach at this location a part of the overhanging element and thus to reduce the length of the basis. This is favorable when the wall forms an angle, as will be described hereunder.

The FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the use of the overhanging element according to the invention when the wall or partition 25 has a curved shape. FIG. 3a shows the configuration where the soil covering has not yet been applied and FIG. 3b the one where the soil covering has been applied. Due to the presence of the notches 7-1 and 7-2 it is possible to bend the first sections of the flaps 6-1 and 6-2 in order that they match the curve of the wall or partition 25. In this FIG. 3a one can also see that the pedestal 3 is at a distance from the wall and that due to the fact that the overhanging element can be moved over the head of the pedestal, it is possible to have it sliding over the head of the pedestal until the flaps are in contact with the wall or partition. The soil covering 26 is applied on the overhanging elements. The presence of the window 10 and the insert parts 12 of which the wings are housed in this window, enables by imposing a translatory movement on the insert parts to be applied in such a manner that they can extend between two adjacent soil coverings 26-1 and 26-2, even if the latter are not rectilinear. For adjusting the soil covering element 26-1 to the geometry of the wall or partition it will be enough to cut that part of the soil covering element so as to match the geometry of the wall or partition. Due to the fact that the overhanging element can be moved over the head of the pedestal it can come into contact with the wall or partition. The presence of the insert parts in the windows will enable to correctly apply the insert parts between the adjacent soil covering elements.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate the use of the overhanging element according to the invention when the wall or partition 25 forms an external corner at 90°. FIG. 4a shows the configuration where the soil covering is not yet applied and FIG. 4b the one where the soil covering is applied. One can see that the flap 6-2 has been removed for accommodating the overhanging element to the corner geometry of the wall or partition. To this purpose it will be enough to break or cut in the flap 6-1 at the height of its foot 8-1. In case a section of one of the flaps would still be needed before reaching the corner of the wall or partition, it will be enough to only remove a section of the flap by using the notch 7 as a cutting line. In an analogous manner as what has been described for FIG. 3, the soil covering element will be applied on the overhanging element.

The FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate the overhanging element according to the invention when the parts of the wall or partition 25-1 and 25-2 form an internal corner of 90° among them. FIG. 5a shows the configuration where the soil covering has not yet been applied and FIG. 5b where the soil covering is applied. One can see two overhanging elements 1-a and 1-b, which form an angle of 90° among them, are applied on the pedestal. The overhanging element 1-a is complete and the overhanging element 1-b has a reduced length because a part of the basis has been removed by using the breaking line 21. By thus reducing the length of the basis it is possible to apply on a same pedestal two overhanging elements which extend in a same plane, thus enabling the application in equilibrium of the soil covering element 26-1 in that plane. Moreover, the use of two overhanging elements enables to bridge the distance between the pedestal as well for what concerns the part 25-1 as for the part 25-2 of the wall. For maintaining the overhanging element 1-b on the pedestal it will be enough to use two perforations 9 for applying a screw which will be screwed in the head of the pedestal. 

1. An overhanging element comprising a basis provided for being applied on a surface raising pedestal, which basis is provided with a window which extend in a longitudinal manner in the basis, said window being dimensioned such that a wing which is part of an insert part applied on the pedestal can cross it and thus guide a translatory movement of the overhanging element with respect to the pedestal on which it is applied, which basis comprises at a first longitudinal end a stop member which extend substantially perpendicular with respect to the basis, characterized in that the stop member is formed by at least one flap provided with a notch which extends over the height of the flap, the notch having a depth such as to enable a bending and/or a removal of a section of the flap situated between the notch and a distal end of the flap.
 2. The overhanging element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the notch is situated in a part of the flap situated between ⅓ and ⅔, in particular between 4/9 and 5/9, of the length of the flap.
 3. The overhanging element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the or the flap(s) is or are applied on a first foot and offset with respect to the basis.
 4. The overhanging element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the basis is provided with a breaking line applied offset with respect to the flap.
 5. The overhanging element as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the breaking line extends in a transversal direction of that basis and is situated at a distance of the flap, in particular a distance situated between 3 and 5 cm, more particularly a distance of 4 cm.
 6. The overhanging element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the basis comprises a set of perforations crossing this basis.
 7. The overhanging element as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the perforations of said set are aligned according to at least one row and applied at an equidistant manner of each other.
 8. The overhanging element as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the perforations of said set of perforations extend according to two rows and in that the window extend between those two rows of perforations.
 9. The overhanging element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a set of insert parts, each insert part being provided in such a manner that its wing can cross the window.
 10. The overhanging element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the basis is provided with drainage grooves. 